The Oilers also signed depth defenceman Kevin Gravel to a two-way deal. The contract for the former Los Angeles King is worth $700,000 if he stays up in the NHL and $450,000 guaranteed no matter where he plays.
Gravel won’t provide any offence, unlike last summer’s signing of Yohann Auvitu from New Jersey, but he’s big and just turned 26.

He’s played 70 NHL games and will challenge for a seventh defence spot along with farmhand Keegan Lowe. The Oilers’ top overall draft pick Kevin Bouchard and Ethan Bear are also in the picture, although those youngsters would be better served in a top-six role.Gravel looked like he might be an NHL regular with the Kings going into the 2017-18 season but he had intestinal issues and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease last summer.

He had to start season in the AHL because of that, and couldn’t regain a spot in the Kings lineup. He was beaten out by Christian Folin and Oscar Fantenberg.

In Game 2 of their first-round series with Vegas, he played because Drew Doughty was suspended and Jake Muzzin was hurt. Thrown into the fire, he struggled and was on for both goals against.

Gravel was originally drafted by the Kings in the fifth round in 2010 after playing in the USHL, but the Minnesota-born defender had to play a year on an AHL contract in Manchester — where he won a Calder Cup — before he was signed to an NHL deal.

He’s six-foot-four and 210 pounds but plays at a good pace. Like most big guys, coaches would like him to play a little snarlier but they’ve said the same about Muzzin for years, too.

Some are saying this guy is actually a decent skater, which puts him way ahead of Gryba :)

Gryba should still be in this org though, getting ready for his demotion.

Good to hear he's got wheels. I heard his interview on Oilers TV, said he gets an infusion treatment, on an IV, every 6 weeks so so that is like a miracle cure. Lot 30 lbs when he first found out he had it, last year was his comeback year, wasn't 100%, there coul dbe potential here if he can manage his Chrohns. I know some people that have it, its an awful condition to deal with,both physically and mentally. I'm pulling for the kid.

I think they have him in mind for the NHL squad. Maybe it works out, but as I sit here typing, I would rather have just re-signed Davidson for that spot. You already know he can play up, whereas Gravel is a bit more unknown (at least to me).

I think they have him in mind for the NHL squad. Maybe it works out, but as I sit here typing, I would rather have just re-signed Davidson for that spot. You already know he can play up, whereas Gravel is a bit more unknown (at least to me).

The Oilers also signed depth defenceman Kevin Gravel to a two-way deal. The contract for the former Los Angeles King is worth $700,000 if he stays up in the NHL and $450,000 guaranteed no matter where he plays.
Gravel won’t provide any offence, unlike last summer’s signing of Yohann Auvitu from New Jersey, but he’s big and just turned 26.

He’s played 70 NHL games and will challenge for a seventh defence spot along with farmhand Keegan Lowe. The Oilers’ top overall draft pick Kevin Bouchard and Ethan Bear are also in the picture, although those youngsters would be better served in a top-six role.Gravel looked like he might be an NHL regular with the Kings going into the 2017-18 season but he had intestinal issues and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease last summer.

He had to start season in the AHL because of that, and couldn’t regain a spot in the Kings lineup. He was beaten out by Christian Folin and Oscar Fantenberg.

In Game 2 of their first-round series with Vegas, he played because Drew Doughty was suspended and Jake Muzzin was hurt. Thrown into the fire, he struggled and was on for both goals against.

Gravel was originally drafted by the Kings in the fifth round in 2010 after playing in the USHL, but the Minnesota-born defender had to play a year on an AHL contract in Manchester — where he won a Calder Cup — before he was signed to an NHL deal.

He’s six-foot-four and 210 pounds but plays at a good pace. Like most big guys, coaches would like him to play a little snarlier but they’ve said the same about Muzzin for years, too.

I don't know much about him. Based on what I read, he's a big guy that is a decent skater that can do more things that Gryba. I still don't get the Gryba signing but looks like a depth signing. He's not that old so maybe he can become something.